Early Voting Offered At Village Hall

Early voting for the April 7 Consolidated Elections will be offered March 16 through April 2. Orland Park's Frederick T. Owens Village Hall will again serve as an early voting site for suburban Cook County voters, having processed the highest number of suburban Cook County voters for the 2008 Presidential Election.

"We have early voting down to a science in Orland Park," said Village Clerk David Maher. "Voters know that they'll be greeted with a smile and it will take a matter of minutes to cast their ballots," the clerk added.

Early voting for all suburban Cook voters begins in Orland Park on Monday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. It continues Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 21 and 28, from 9:00 a.m. until noon through April 2.

Offices being considered in the April election include seats on the Orland Park Village Board, Orland Township Board, Orland Fire Protection District Board, Orland Park Public Library Board and issues and seats for the school districts that serve Orland Park.

All suburban Cook County registered voters are eligible to vote at Orland Park's early voting site, regardless of where they live. There is no excuse required to vote early and voters need only bring government issued identification, i.e., driver's license, state identification card, passport, etc.

"We are great fans of early voting in Orland Park," Maher said. "It's been a wonderful experience all the way around because we were able to involve a number of young adults as judges and helpers during the Presidential Election and this program gives voters two weeks to cast their ballots instead of one day," he said.

In-person absentee voting is no longer available in the Orland Park Village Clerk's Office; however, applications to receive absentee ballots by mail are available.

"Absentee voting is not available at the Clerk's Office. This is why we're encouraging suburban Cook County voters to take advantage of the Early Voting Program," Maher said.

A legitimate excuse is required to vote absentee by mail. "Parents whose kids are away at college can ask that an absentee ballot be mailed to them," explained Orland Park Deputy Clerk Joe LaMargo. Absentee voting is also convenient for homebound voters.

Orland Park's Village Clerk's Office is located off the main lobby of Village Hall, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. Along with voter registration and being the official record keeper for the village, the Clerk's Office includes the village's Office of Special Services.

"Residents are able to apply for passports, seek veterans' assistance and learn about voting all in one spot," LaMargo said.

Further information or to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to a Cook County voter, either homebound or out of town, residents should call the Village Clerk's Office at 403-6150.